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Units and Measurements appeared 50 times across 3 years — 5.8% of Physics. This question is from Dimensional Analysis.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 14 22 14 50

In a measurement, it is asked to find modulus of elasticity per unit torque applied on the system. The measured quantity has dimension of [MaLbTc] . If b = 3 , the value of c is

Numerical Answer Type:
Enter a numerical value Answer: 0 to 0 +4 marks

Solution & Explanation

Core Logic

Let's find the dimensional formula for the ratio of Modulus of Elasticity to Torque:

Target Dimensions = [Modulus of Elasticity][Torque] Target Dimensions = [M L⁻¹ T⁻²][M L² T⁻²] = [M⁰ L⁻³ T⁰]
Step 1: Exponent Matching

Comparing this output to the target layout formula [Ma Lb Tc]:

c = 0

Pattern Recognition

Both dimensions share identical time dependence factors (T⁻²), meaning they cancel out completely. This leaves the time exponent value as exactly zero.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements

Reference Study Guides

More Units and Measurements Previous-Year Questions — Page 2

Q26 jee_main_2026_22_january_evening Dimensional Analysis
If in, E and t represent the free space permittivity, electric field and time respectively, then the unit of (in E)/(t) will be :
  • A. Am
  • B. Am²
  • C. A/m²
  • D. A/m

Solution

Related Formula
E = (1)/(4πin) · (q)/(r²) [(in E)/(t)] = [(q)/(t · r²)]
Core Logic

Substituting electric field equation into the expression gives:

(in E)/(t) = (in)/(t) · (1)/(4πin) (q)/(r²) = (q)/(4π t r²)

Substituting dimensional formulas for current (I = q/t arrow A) and area (r² arrow m²):

[(in E)/(t)] = A · TT · L² = A L⁻² = A/m²
Step 1: Final Conclusion

Hence, the unit of (in E)/(t) is A/m².

Pattern Recognition

Sees: in E / t product. Shortcut: Permittivity times Electric Field is Displacement Field D = in E, which has units of Charge per unit Area (C/m²). Dividing by time yields C/(s · m²) = A/m² directly.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements Class 12 Physics: Electrostatics

Q29 jee_main_2026_23_january_morning Errors in Measurement
Four persons measure the length of a rod as 20.00 cm, 19.75 cm, 17.01 cm and 18.25 cm. The relative error in the measurement of average length of the rod is :
  • A. 0.24
  • B. 0.18
  • C. 0.06
  • D. 0.08

Solution

Related Formula
lmean = Σ lᵢn Δ lmean = Σ |Δ lᵢ|n Relative Error = Δ lmeanlmean
Step 1: Calculate Mean Value
lmean = (20.00 + 19.75 + 17.01 + 18.25)/(4) lmean = (75.01)/(4) = 18.7525 ≈ 18.75 cm
Step 2: Calculate Mean Absolute Error

Deviations from the mean: |Δ l₁| = |20.00 - 18.75| = 1.25 |Δ l₂| = |19.75 - 18.75| = 1.00 |Δ l₃| = |17.01 - 18.75| = 1.74 |Δ l₄| = |18.25 - 18.75| = 0.50

Δ lmean = (1.25 + 1.00 + 1.74 + 0.50)/(4) Δ lmean = (4.49)/(4) = 1.1225 ≈ 1.12 cm
Step 3: Calculate Relative Error
Relative Error = Δ lmeanlmean Relative Error = (1.12)/(18.75) = 0.05973 ≈ 0.06
Pattern Recognition

Sees: "relative error" + "multiple readings" → first find mean, then find absolute differences from mean, average those differences, and finally divide by the mean.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements

Q44 jee_main_2026_23_january_morning Screw Gauge
In a screw gauge, the zero of the circular scale lies 3 divisions above the horizontal pitch line when their metallic studs are brought in contact. Using this instrument thickness of a sheet is measured. If pitch scale reading is 1 mm and the circular scale reading is 51 then the correct thickness of the sheet is ____ mm. [Assume least count is 0.01 mm]
  • A. 1.50
  • B. 1.48
  • C. 1.54
  • D. 1.51

Solution

Related Formula
Zero Error = Division × Least Count True Reading = Measured Reading - Zero Error
Core Logic

Since the zero of the circular scale lies above the horizontal reference line when the studs are in contact, the screw gauge has a negative zero error. This means the instrument fundamentally "reads" a value less than the actual value, so the error must be added to the raw reading.

Step 1: Evaluate Zero Error
Zero error e = -3 × LC = -3 × 0.01 mm = -0.03 mm
Step 2: Calculate Reading
Measured Reading = Pitch Scale Reading + (Circular Scale Reading × LC) Measured Reading = 1 mm + (51 × 0.01 mm) Measured Reading = 1.51 mm
Step 3: Apply Zero Correction
Correct Thickness = Measured Reading - e Correct Thickness = 1.51 - (-0.03) = 1.54 mm
Pattern Recognition

Sees: "zero lies above reference line" → Negative zero error. True value = Measured + |Error|. If it lies below, positive error.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements

Q48 jee_main_2026_23_january_evening Dimensional Analysis
A ball of radius r and density ρ dropped through a viscous liquid of density σ and viscosity η attains its terminal velocity at time t, given by t = A ρa rb ηc σd , where A is a constant and a, b c and d are integers. The value of (b + c)/(a + d) is ____.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 1 to 1

Solution

Related Formula

Time dimension: [T] = T Density dimension: [ρ] = [σ] = ML⁻³ Radius dimension: [r] = L Viscosity dimension: [η] = ML⁻¹T⁻¹

Core Logic

Given dimensional equation:

T = [ρ]^a [r]^b [η]^c [σ]^d T = ( ML⁻³)^a (L)^b ( ML⁻¹T⁻¹)^c ( ML⁻³)^d

Expand the bases:

T¹ = Ma+c+d L-3a+b-c-3d T-c
Step 1: Compare Exponents

For Time (T):

-c = 1 c = -1

For Mass (M):

a + c + d = 0 a - 1 + d = 0 a + d = 1

For Length (L):

-3a + b - c - 3d = 0 b - c - 3(a + d) = 0

Substitute c = -1 and a + d = 1:

b - (-1) - 3(1) = 0 b + 1 - 3 = 0 b = 2
Step 2: Final Calculation

We need the value of (b+c)/(a+d): Numerator b+c = 2 + (-1) = 1 Denominator a+d = 1

(b+c)/(a+d) = (1)/(1) = 1
Pattern Recognition

Whenever variables are lumped in a product string X = y^a z^b, equating dimensions on both sides produces a solvable linear system. The sum groups (a+d) can sometimes be substituted directly without fully isolating a or d individually.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements Class 11 Physics: Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Q27 jee_main_2026_24_january_evening Vernier Callipers
In a vernier callipers, 50 vernier scale divisions are equal to 48 main scale divisions. If one main scale division = 0.05 mm, then the least count of the vernier callipers is ____ mm.
  • A. 0.002
  • B. 0.05
  • C. 0.02
  • D. 0.005

Solution

Related Formula
Least Count (LC) = 1 MSD - 1 VSD
Core Logic

Given 50 VSD = 48 MSD, we have:

1 VSD = (48)/(50) MSD LC = 1 MSD - (48)/(50) MSD = (2)/(50) MSD
Step 1: Calculation

Substitute 1 MSD = 0.05 mm:

LC = (2)/(50) × 0.05 mm = 0.002 mm
Pattern Recognition

For non-standard vernier calipers where N VSD = (N-x) MSD, the least count is (x/N) × MSD.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements

More Units and Measurements Questions — jee_main_2025_28_jan_morning

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